BUCS to branches
Turning sporting success into nature recovery
What is BUCS to branches?
BUCS to Branches connects student sport with biodiversity and climate action. As Loughborough teams compete and earn points through British Universities & Colleges Sport competitions, their success contributes directly to tree planting.
With more than 6,000 student athletes and over 60 Athletic Union clubs, the initiative creates a simple and powerful connection between performance, pride and environmental responsibility.
How it works
The model is straightforward:
Every 10 BUCS points earned = one tree planted.
This makes the impact of sporting success visible and measurable, helping students see how their achievements can contribute to something bigger than competition alone.
Project ambition
At least 10,000 trees will be planted during the project.
When mature, these trees are expected to sequester approximately 2,480 tCO₂e.
The project also supports employment and inclusion through planting work, with workdays created and strong female participation in planting projects.
Early impact
For the 2024/25 season, 987 trees were planted and 20 workdays were created through the initiative. We are currently on course to plant over 1000 trees for the 25/26 season as a result of our BUCS performances.
The project demonstrates how sport can contribute to nature restoration, climate action and social value at the same time.
Why it matters
Sport creates shared goals, collective identity and a sense of momentum. BUCS to Branches uses that energy to support nature recovery and climate action.
By linking every point to a tree, the initiative helps student athletes understand that sustainability is not separate from sport. It can be built into the way sport celebrates achievement.
Every point helps nature grow
Support Loughborough teams, follow their BUCS performance and see how sporting success contributes to trees, biodiversity and long-term climate action.
